Category: Players Abroad News

Sierra Leone fasting growing digital football website is passionately on all topics of National and International news, identifying our soccer stars.

Amadou Bakayoko's Hokkaido Sapporo relegated from J1 League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amadou Bakayoko’s Hokkaido Sapporo relegated from J1 League

Sierra Leone international Amadou Bakayoko, who plays for J-League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, faced relegation despite the team’s 1-0 victory over Kashiwa Reysol on the final day of the season.

Sapporo had already been confirmed for relegation following poor form as they only managed nine wins of 38 league encounters.

However, on the final game of the season, they put up a strong fight with Tomoki Kondo scoring the decisive goal for a full three points.

Bakayoko, who joined Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on July 28, 2024, managed to score only one goal in nine appearances in all competitions due to limited playing time.

He made his debut on August 16 as a substitute and scored his first goal from the penalty spot in a 5-3 win over Sagan Tosu.

Title wrap-up: Vissel are champions again

Vissel Kobe 3, Shonan Bellmare 0

Vissel Kobe knew that a win would secure them the title, and they certainly delivered a remarkable performance. Taisei Miyashiro, Yoshinori Muto, and Takahiro Ogihara each scored, igniting celebrations in Kobe.

Gamba Osaka 3, Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1

Sanfrecce Hiroshima entered the match needing a win to have any chance at claiming the league title. However, Isa Sakamoto scored his first of two goals in the 13th minute, paving the way for Gamba Osaka to secure a decisive victory. This win earned Gamba a fourth-place finish, qualifying them for the AFC Champions League Two next year.

Kashima Antlers 3, FC Machida Zelvia 1

FC Machida Zelvia faced long odds for the title on the final day and needed a victory to keep their hopes alive. However, Shu Morooka and Yuta Higuchi scored early, putting Kashima Antlers two goals ahead within the first 16 minutes. Kashima concluded their season on a high note with this victory.

Mustapha Bundu nets as Plymouth battle Championship relegation under Rooney
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu nets as Plymouth battles relegation under Rooney

Sierra Leone International was on target as Swansea City increased the pressure on Plymouth Argyle with a 2-1 victory at Home Park. The victory means Swansea ended Plymouth’s six-match unbeaten home run as Wayne Rooney’s side slipped to 23rd in the Championship.

Jay Fulton opened the scoring for Swansea with a composed finish just before halftime in the 44th minute, in a first half that was largely balanced between the two teams.

Following the break, Swansea doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Liam Cullen capitalized on a close-range opportunity.

Plymouth Argyle, however, responded by intensifying the contest. Mustapha Bundu, who had previously struck the woodwork in the first half, scored by heading in the rebound after Kornel Szucs’ effort hit the bar.

Despite their efforts, Plymouth was unable to find an equalizer and suffered their third consecutive defeat.

Wayne Rooney’s team currently finds itself in the Championship relegation zone, having secured only one victory in their last ten league matches.

This match also marked Bundu’s third goal of the season in sixteen appearances for the Championship.

Josh Koroma scores Huddersfield Town winner to strengthen promotion chances
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Josh Koroma scores Huddersfield’s winner to strengthen promotion chances

Sierra Leone international Josh Koroma contributed significantly to Huddersfield’s victory over Mansfield Town, as the latter faced their fifth consecutive defeat in League One.

In his sixteenth appearance of the season, Koroma scored his sixth goal, helping Huddersfield ascend to fourth place in the league standings and secure a playoff spot.

The match began with Huddersfield taking an early lead in the eighth minute. Ben Wiles scored, finding the net off the inside of the near post after an impressive run and low cross from the left delivered by Josh Koroma.

Mansfield equalized in the 31st minute when Jacob Chapman parried a header from Aden Flint, stemming from an Aaron Lewis corner, which allowed Will Evans to strike the rebound into the goal.

However, the visitors quickly regained the lead within two minutes. Jose Koroma could chase down a long ball and skillfully directed his shot across Christy Pym, placing it into the far corner of the net.

In the last of four added minutes at the end of the first half, Mansfield nearly equalized again when George Maris struck the post with a low shot from 20 yards.

Mansfield experienced a moment of fortune when Tom Lees directed a close-range free header directly at Pym in the 51st minute, following a free-kick taken by Ben Wiles. Shortly thereafter, Mansfield came close to scoring again as Chapman made two swift saves from attempts by Keanu Baccus and Aaron Lewis.

In the 62nd minute, Flint prevented a goal by clearing a shot from Michal Helik off the line during a corner kick. As the match approached its conclusion, Lees inadvertently headed the ball against his own crossbar during the last of five added minutes. Despite mounting pressure from Mansfield, Huddersfield managed to secure their fourth consecutive victory.

Sierra Leone's Juma Bah on Manchester City's Radar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Juma Bah on Manchester City’s Radar

Manchester City and other English clubs want to sign Sierra Leone-born defender Juma Bah, a rising star, as Pep Guardiola works to improve his defence.

The 18-year-old defender has impressed while on loan at Real Valladolid after moving from AIK Freetong, a team in Sierra Leone.

He started with the Juvenil División de Honor and quickly moved up to the Promesas team, where he made a successful debut in September.

However, the 6’5” player earned a spot on the first team, playing 855 minutes in eleven appearances.

Among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, Bah ranks in the 95th percentile for clearances, averaging 5.63 per game, and in the 98th percentile for aerial duels won, averaging 3.81 per game.

Read related News New Real Valladolid defender back Bah headline Spanish News.

Sierra Leone's Sullay Kaikai helps Cambridge draw against Bolton
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai header helps 10-man Cambridge draw against Bolton

On Tuesday at the Abbey Stadium, Sullay Kaikai’s exceptional header in the 89th minute secured an unexpected draw for the 10-man Cambridge team against Bolton.

Despite being in the bottom three of the League One standings, a draw against Bolton while playing with ten men will feel like a win.

Cambridge faced significant challenges after Jubril Okedina received a red card four minutes into the second half for violent conduct following an altercation with George Johnston while Bolton prepared to take a corner.

Bolton’s goal looked set to decide the match until Andrew delivered a precise cross, which Kaikai headed past Nathan Baxter.

Cambridge opened the match well, creating two scoring opportunities in the first four minutes. Baxter saved both Kaikai’s initial shot and Ryan Loft’s chance from a deep cross by Liam Bennett.

Just before halftime, Jay Matete missed an opportunity, shooting over the bar after a poor clearance from James Brophy.